Video game review: 'Lego Marvel Super Heroes' -- 3.5 stars

Lego video games have seemingly become a genre unto themselves in recent years, with new licensed franchises coming out every year, from "Lord of the Rings" to "Batman" to "Star Wars."

The latest, "Lego Marvel Super Heroes," puts you in control of countless heroes and villains in a game that draws from all corners of the Marvel Universe, including figures from X-Men, Avengers, Fantastic Four and more.

The plot of the Lego games are usually secondary to the tongue-in-cheek adventure. Galactus, the devourer of worlds, comes to Earth, along with the Silver Surfer. His surfboard is destroyed, breaking up into Lego bricks that you'll be collecting throughout the game.

The villains, led by Doctor Doom and Loki, are trying to get the bricks to make the Doctor Doom's Doom Ray of Doom (tongue-in-cheek, see?), while the Nick Fury-led heroes strive to stop them.

Building off the exquisite "Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes," "Marvel" is set up in an open world, allowing you to explore the different locations.

The game begins right here in the Big Apple -- in fact, one of the first villains you'll face is Sandman, who has taken over a certain train station called "Sand Central Station."

While the city is certainly recognizable, there is some strange geography, as I swear that Hawkeye walked a few steps in Times Square and it said he was now in SoHo.

Geography issues aside, the game looks beautiful -- this is a major step for the Lego franchise.

Fans of the Lego games know that some of the best features are the astounding number of characters.

"Marvel" takes that to a new level.

The game has 155 playable characters (plus more you can download), and it also introduces "Big-figs" -- think the Hulk -- who are more accurately sized than they are in previous Lego games.

If you're looking for a serious gaming experience, "Lego Marvel Super Heroes" might not be the best choice for you. But if you're looking for a fun, lighthearted adventure, this is your new addiction.